ABSTRACT
A Traditional View of Motivation Consider the behavior of Susie and Jack, two children in third grade. Susie consistently completes homework assignments, works hard during various classroom activities, listens attentively to the teacher, and is polite with the other children. According to Susie’s teacher, “Susie is a good student because she’s highly motivated.” Jack, on the other hand, is the opposite. Jack rarely completes homework assignments, fools around while the teacher is talking, and doesn’t appear to apply himself. Jack’s teacher believes that Jack lacks motivation. As illustrated by these examples, many people conceptualize motivation as some “thing” within us that causes our actions. Many introductory psychology texts describe motivation as the study of inner drives, needs, and wants that cause our actions.
